The 1950s Sci-Fi Movie Quiz

More than 500 sci-fi feature-length movies were released between 1948 and 1962 -- some remain standouts, some became cult classics, and all, for sure, deliver the right amount of kitsch. Test how much do you know about the Golden Age of sci-fi films?

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Question 1 of 30

Which movie does this tagline belong to: "A titanic beauty spreads a macabre wave of horror!"

Attack of the 50 Foot Woman

This tagline is from 1958's "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman."

Teenagers from Outer Space

The Amazing Colossal Man

Question 2 of 30

The idea of a "doomsday machine" was reused in a 1966 Star Trek episode -- what movie inspired it?

Gog

Kronos

The energy-absorbing robot in 1957's "Kronos" led to the "Star Trek" doomsday machine.

Spaceways

Question 3 of 30

Which was the first sci-fi space adventure to be made after World War II?

The Thing

Destination Moon

Rocketship X-M

It took 18 days and a $94,000 budget to make "Rocketship X-M" in 1950.

Question 4 of 30

Released within just one day of each other, which two movies shared sets and wardrobe?

Project Moon Base and "Cat-Women of the Moon"

1953's "Project Moon Base" and "Cat-Women of the Moon" shared some sets and costumes.

Invaders from Mars and "Cat-Women of the Moon"

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms and "Cat-Women of the Moon"

Question 5 of 30

Known for shooting on shoestring budgets, director Edgar G. Ulmer filmed which of his movies in 6 days, with sets left over from 1948's "Joan of Arc?"

The Black Cat

The Man From Planet X

Ulmer shot "The Man From Planet X" in 6 days, with borrowed sets.

The Strange Woman

Question 6 of 30

In what category did 1953's "The War of the Worlds" win an Academy Award?

Best Costume Design

Best Film Editing

Best Visual Effects

The War of the Worlds won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

Question 7 of 30

Which was Warner Bros.' highest-grossing movie in 1954?

Plan 9 From Outer Space

Red Planet Mars

Them!

Warner Bros.' "Them!" was its highest-grossing movie of 1954.

Question 8 of 30

Which film is a (loose) retelling of Shakespeare's "The Tempest?"

The War of the Worlds

Forbidden Planet

Forbidden Planet, set in the 23rd century, is a loose adaptation of "The Tempest."

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Question 9 of 30

Which British sci-fi comedy, starring Alec Guinness, centered around a chemist who invents an everlasting fabric?

The Man from Planet X

The Man in the White Suit

It was 1951's sci-fi satirical comedy, "The Man in the White Suit."

The Cosmic Man

Question 10 of 30

Before giving us "Buck Rogers" and "The Bionic Woman" on the small screen, which director gave us nearly a dozen American sci-fi horror films?

Billy Wilder

Jack Arnold

Jack Arnold was one of the most prolific sci-fi/horror films directors in 1950s Hollywood.

Robert Aldrich

Question 11 of 30

In which Jack Arnold-directed movie is Clint Eastwood credited with his first speaking role?

Creature from the Black Lagoon

The Incredible Shrinking Man

Revenge of the Creature

Clint Eastwood's first speaking role is in "Revenge of the Creature."

Question 12 of 30

The alien in which classic from 1951, set in 1982, is referred to as "an intellectual carrot?"

The Brain Eaters

The Thing from Another World

After examination, scientists in "The Thing from Another World" determine the alien is "an intellectual carrot."

When Worlds Collide

Question 13 of 30

In which '50s sci-fi Cold War story does a former Nazi scientist, now working for the Soviets, beam signals that God is on Mars?